Immune status of people living in the Tande-Tande sub-village (Indonesia), an area with high indoor radon concentration.

On Earth, there are significant variations in terms of exposure to naturally occurring radiation among different areas. Radon, a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that is the primary cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and the second most prevalent cause among smokers, poses a considerable risk. Indoor radon, in particular, constitutes the most substantial source of natural radiation to which individuals are exposed. This study assessed the immune status of a population chronically exposed to high indoor radon concentration in Indonesia. Fifty-seven subjects from the Tande-Tande sub-village (high indoor radon concentration area) were compared to fifty-three participants living in the Topoyo village (low concentration area). We contrasted the immunological conditions of these two populations by measuring levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and IL-10 in serum. Moreover, we also measured levels of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and protein kinase B in its phosphorylated (pAkt) and non-phosphorylated form (Akt) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of a subset of participants (31 from each population). TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-4 levels in Tande-Tande sub-village inhabitants were significantly lower than those in the control group living in the Topoyo village (p = 0.001, p = 0.017, and p = 0.002). The concentration of IL-10 also tended to be lower in people living in the high indoor radon concentration area, but it did not differ significantly between Tande-Tande sub-village inhabitants and Topoyo inhabitants (p = 0.106). Protein levels of NF-κB, pAkt, and Akt in Tande-Tande sub-village inhabitants also did not differ significantly between Tande-Tande sub-village inhabitants and Topoyo inhabitants (p = 0.234, p = 0.210, and p = 0.657). Similarly, activities of SOD and GPX did not differ significantly between the two populations (p = 0.569 and p = 0.949). Overall, despite their chronic exposure to high indoor radon concentrations, our study revealed no increase in the levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-4, SOD, and GPX in the inhabitants of Tande-Tande sub-village compared with people living in the Topoyo village. Furthermore, our study demonstrated no activation in the Akt pathway, as indicated by the pAkt/Akt ratio observed in PBMC lysates of individuals residing in the Tande-Tande sub-village.

γ-H2AX and phospho-ATM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays as biodosimetry methods for radiation exposure assessment: a pilot study.

In the event of a radiological incident, a fast and accurate biological dosimetry (biodosimetry) method for evaluating people who have been potentially exposed to ionising radiation is crucial. Among the many biodosimetry methods available, the immunodetection of phosphorylated H2AX (γ-H2AX) stands as a promising method to be used in the triage of patients exposed to radiation. Currently, the most common way to measure γ-H2AX levels is through fluorescence microscopy. In this pilot study, we assessed the feasibility of using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for quantifying γ-H2AX for biodosimetry purposes. Moreover, the usefulness of measuring phosphorylated ATM (pATM) levels through ELISA for biodosimetry was also evaluated. Blood samples were obtained from three male donors (38 y) and were irradiated with 60Co (0, 1, 2 and 6 Gy). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and lysed before measuring γ-H2AX, total H2AX protein and pATM using ELISA kits. The dicentric chromosome assay (DCA) using whole blood was also performed for comparison. Data from all donors at each dose were pooled before statistical analysis. The ratio of γ-H2AX/total H2AX and pATM levels increased in a radiation-dose-dependent manner. The average γ-H2AX/total H2AX ratios were 0.816 ± 0.219, 0.830 ± 0.685, 1.276 ± 1.151 and 1.606 ± 1.098, whereas the average levels of pATM were 59.359 ± 3.740, 63.366 ± 0.840, 66.273 ± 2.603 and 69.936 ± 4.439, in PBMCs exposed to 0, 1, 2 and 6 Gy, respectively. The linear-quadratic dose-response calibration curve for DCA was Y = 0.0017 (±0.0010) + 0.0251 (±0.0142) × D + 0.0342 (±0.0039) × D2  $\boldsymbol{Y}=\mathbf{0.0017}\left(\pm \mathbf{0.0010}\right)+\mathbf{0.0208}\left(\pm \mathbf{0.0218}\right)\times \boldsymbol{D}+\mathbf{0.0350}\left(\pm \mathbf{0.0050}\right)\times{\boldsymbol{D}}^{\mathbf{2}}$. Overall, despite a large variability in the ratio of γ-H2AX/total H2AX among donors, the present study revealed the suitability of using the ratio of γ-H2AX/total H2AX and pATM for biodosimetry. Still, more research with a larger group of subjects is necessary to construct a reliable calibration curve for the ratio of γ-H2AX/total H2AX and pATM levels for biodosimetry.